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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier Saturday 17 Oct 1942
Page 2 Column 4
COUNCILLOR FOR 46 YEARS
TAUNTON'S “FATHER” RESIGNS
TRIBUTES TO ALDERMAN A. J. SPILLER
Alderman A. J. SPILLER, who has been a member of Taunton Town Council for 46 years and has been its “father” for many years, has resigned – he is 88 – and warm tributes to his notable service were paid at the Council meeting on Tuesday. The resignation was also received of Councillor S. A. BRADBURY, who is faced with increasing business responsibilities, and he also was cordially thanked for his work.
Mr. W. E. MAYNARD said they all very much regretted that Ald. SPILLER had resigned. He had been a councillor for 46 years and an alderman for 35 years. He had served on many committees, and was Mayor in 1907-08 and for part of 1920.
He had represented the Council on the Taunton Town Charity, Grays Almshouses, Huish's Grammar School Governors, Taunton Board of Guardians, and the West Somerset local Employment Committee. He was vice-chairman for 11 years, chairman for 15 years, and a member for 46 years of the Board of Guardians, relinquishing the chair in 1938.
A RESOLUTION
Ald. F. W. PENNY, speaking as a colleague for 38 years, said that to the hundreds of councillors who had gone through the Chamber during nearly half a century Ald. SPILLER had been an example. To his work he had brought qualities of heart, a sound judgement and a technical knowledge, which had been of great value.
Ald. PENNY then moved a formal resolution of regret at Ald. SPILLER's resignation, and recording gratitude for his able service for 46 years.
Ald. F. S. DODSON, who seconded, spoke in high praise of Ald. SPILLER's work for the Taunton Town Charity, in which he had been associated with him for 36 years.
The resolution, which was unanimously adopted, will be sent to Ald. SPILLER bearing the common seal of the Council.
MR. BRADBURY
Mr. MAYNARD said they were all sorry that Mr. BRADBURY, a councillor for Trinity Ward, had resigned. They hoped that after the war he would be able to resume his place on the Council.
Both vacancies are to be filled at the annual meeting of the Council on November 9th